Supreme Court Cases Supreme Court Cases Case Name

Supreme Court Cases

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Marbury v. Madison, 1803 Marshall Judicial review Federalists vs. Democratic. Republicans; Jefferson beat Adams in the election of 1800; Adams’ Federalists tried to hold onto power with appointments of new “midnight judges” to federal courts Marbury (Federalist appointee) lost the claim to his job. This case set the precedent of judicial review (meaning that the court can interpret and rule upon the actions of Congress & the president) Georgia legislature was bribed by land speculators; Georgia voters elected a new legislature and sued to invalidate crooked property deeds. The Supreme Court ruled that the land deeds stand, reflecting a laissez-faire approach to business. (In the late 1800 s, this precedent prevented regulation of big business. ) Checks & balances Fletcher v. Peck, 1810 Marshall Property rights Sanctity of contracts Dartmouth College v. Woodward, 1819 Marshall Sanctity of contracts/ charters New Hampshire wanted more state/public control over Dartmouth College, but it had been chartered as an independent, private university by King George III The Supreme Court ruled that the charter stands; reflecting a laissezfaire approach to business. (In the late 1800 s, this precedent prevented regulation of big business. ) Mc. Culloch v. Maryland, 1819 Marshall Necessary & proper (elastic) clause Maryland, like many southern states, was hostile to the national bank because they believed it to be unconstitutional. Maryland imposed a tax on the Baltimore branch of the national bank, which the bank’s clerk, Mc. Culloch, refused to pay. The Supreme Court ruled that national bank is constitutional based on the power of Congress to regulate commerce and the necessary and proper (elastic) clause. Maryland cannot tax the bank because of the principle of national supremacy. “The power to tax is the power to destroy, ” and Maryland could not be given that power over the bank. National supremacy National bank

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Cohens v. Virginia, 1821 Marshall State vs. national government Cohens was selling lottery tickets illegally in Virginia prosecuted him under state law and Cohens appealed his conviction to the federal courts. Cohens lost his appeal, but by hearing and deciding this case, the Supreme Court established its power to review state laws & court decisions. National supremacy Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824 Marshall Interstate commerce; national supremacy Gibbons & Ogden both ran steamboats ferrying passengers and goods from New York to New Jersey. Gibbons sued to protect his stateissued monopoly license from competition from Ogden’s federallylicensed operation. Gibbons lost. The Supreme Court ruled that national laws are supreme over state laws. Only the national government can regulate interstate commerce. (This case would be a precedent for later cases on the regulation of big businesses like railroads and telegraph companies. ) Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 1830 Marshall Indian Removal Act 1830: Georgia annexed Cherokee lands, and abolished their government, courts, and laws and tried to distribute to whites. The Cherokee Nation sought a federal injunction against laws passed by the State of Georgia depriving them of their rights and displacing them from their land within its boundaries. They asserted that the laws violated treaties the Cherokee Nation had negotiated with the U. S. In Worcester in 1832, Georgia passed a law that white people couldn’t reside with the Cherokee. In 1830, the Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation did not constitute a foreign nation (under Article III of the Constitution) and therefore the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the claims. They could not strike down state laws. In 1832, the Court ruled the Cherokee Nation constituted a nation holding distinct sovereign powers. The court chastised Georgia and stated the Cherokee had the right to live free from the state’s trespasses. Worchester v. Georgia, 1832

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge, 1837 Taney Business contracts and monopolies Toll bridge companies sued each other to protect their governmentissued monopolies Monopoly cannot be interfered with; state can regulate trade; prevented regulation of trusts in the late 1800 s Dred Scott v. Sanford, 1857 Taney Slaves and civil rights Dred Scott lived for a time in free land; he sued his master for his emancipation Scott lost the case; “no rights that a white man is bound to respect’; enraged abolitionists b/c it violated the Missouri Compromise… Dems split, 1860 election was won by Rep. Lincoln Ex Parte Milligan, 1866 Chase Military tribunals Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus & arrested Milligan for plot against Indiana state government during the Civil War Supreme Court ruled that civilians can’t be tried in military tribunals Slaughterhouse Cases, 1873 Chase Civil rights; 14 th Amendment State of Lousiana granted a monopoly to a slaughterhouse company. The court ruled that a citizen's "privileges and immunities, " as protected by the Constitution’s 14 th Amendment against the states, were limited to those spelled out in the Constitution and did not include many rights given by the individual states Munn v. Illinois, 1877 Waite State Illinois Grangers (farmers advocates) States may regulate grain elevators on regulation of passed laws to regulate RR industry RRs b/c they are intrastate commerce business

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific RR, 1886 Waite “Corporate personhood” California placed regulations on railroads; Southern Pacific RR challenged the regulations in court Corporations are persons under the Fourteenth Amendment and have constitutional rights Wabash v. Illinois, 1886 Waite interstate Illinois Grangers passed laws to regulation of regulate interstate RR commerce business S. C. overruled Illinois law b/c states can’t regulate interstate commerce; Federal government later passed Interstate Commerce Act US v. EC Knight Co. , 1895 Fuller state tried to regulate oil monopoly regulation of (anti-trust law) monopolies S. C. overruled state anti-trust law b/c oil company was an interstate business Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 Fuller Af Am rights; 14 th Amendment Creole man refused to move from his seat on RR; he was arrested under segregation law SC ruled that segregation is legal; “separate but equal”; overturned by Brown v. Board Insular Cases, 19011905 Fuller Rights for residents of annexed territories In late 1800 s, the US gained control over Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Alaska and Hawaii. "Does the Constitution follow the flag? " Supreme Court full citizenship rights for Alaska and Hawaii, limited rights in other territories.

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Northern Securities v. US, 1904 Fuller Trust busting T. Roosevelt used Sherman AT act to bust RR trust N Securities was dissolved… victory for progressives Lochner v. New York, 1905 Fuller Labor laws Bakers wanted reduced hours (10 hr day); no more than 60 hours per week SC overturned the labor law; said 14 th amendment did not provide hour limitations; blow to the Progressive Movement Muller v. Oregon, 1908 Fuller Labor laws… for women Oregon law limited hours and improved working conditions for women… b/c it could harm their health and health of children SC agreed with protections for women… “paternalistic” labor law… supported Progressive Movement Schenck v. US, 1919 White Freedom of speech in wartime WWI – Schenck tried to convince young men to resist the draft… in violation of the Espionage & Sedition Acts SC ruled that freedom of speech can be restricted in wartime… “clear & present danger” … “falsely shouting fire in a crowded theater”

Supreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome US v. Butler, 1936 Hughes Govt NIRA – National Industrial Recovery SC overturned NIRA… led to court regulation of Act created partial employment, fair packing scandal industry wages, quotas, etc. Schecter Poultry v. US, 1936 Hughes Govt AAA – Agricultural Adjustment Act… regulation of government paid subsidies to industry farmers to cut production… $ came from tax on producers… take from rich & give to poor SC overturned AAA… led to court packing scheme West Virginia Stone State B. O. E. v. Barnette, 1943 Freedom of religion & speech State law required students in public SC ruled that schools cannot force school to salute the flag and recite the students to salute and recite the pledge of allegiance; Jehovah’s pledge b/c govt cannot compel speech Witnesses objected on religious grounds Korematsu v. US, 1944 Wartime powers; 14 th amendment Japanese American internment after Pearl Harbor attack Stone SC ruled that internment did not violate 14 th amendment… wartime crisis; federal government later apologized & paid reparations to surviving internees

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Mendez v. Westminster, 1947 Vinson Segregation, 14 th Amendment Mexican American family sued to integrated children into white Calif. Schools under 14 th amendment SC ruled that schools had to be integrated… “Mexican Brown v. Board” Sweatt v. Painter, 1950 Vinson 14 th; equal protection Sweatt was denied admission to Univ of Texas Law School; he was denied b/c he was black SC ruled that states must integrate law schools… Thurgood Marshall has his “foot in the door” Mc. Laurin v. Oklahoma Board of Regents, 1950 Vinson 14 th; equal protection Mc. Laurin, a black man, was admitted SC ruled that colleges must fully to Oklahoma University but had to sit integrate … Thurgood Marshall has his in hallway and could not interact “foot in the door” with white students Dennis v. US, 1951 Vinson Freedom of speech & association Dennis was member of Communist Party; arrested to threats to US government SC upheld conviction b/c Communist Party is a “conspiracy” against US government, even if Dennis hadn’t made specific threats

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Brown v. Board, 1954 Warren 14 th; equal protection Brown’s parent sued to integrated their daughter into white school; “doll test” SC ruled that separate is inherently unequal; public schools must be integrated… some southern states put up “massive resistance” to the decision Engel v. Vitale, 1962 Warren 1 st School encouraged daily prayer amendment; recitiation by students religion in schools Government-directed prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, even if the prayer is denominationally neutral and students may remain silent or be excused from the classroom during its recitation. Abington School District v. Schempp, 1963 Warren 1 st Amendment; religion in schools School allowed student volunteers to read a daily Bible verse over the intercom during announcements Establishment Clause of the First Amendment forbids state mandated reading of the Bible, or recitation of the Lord's Prayer in public schools. Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963 Warren Rights of accused; 6 th Gideon was arrested for burglary; lost case b/c he couldn’t afford lawyer; he studied law and appealed case to Supreme Court SC ruled that states must provide an attorney to indigent defendants

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Escobedo v. Illinois, 1964 Warren Rights of the accused, 6 th amendment Escobedo was interrogated for 14+ hours while repeatedly denied an attorney; he made self-incriminatory statements If police deny a suspect access to a lawyer, the suspect’s statements may not be used in court Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US, 1964 Warren 14 th amendment, interstate commerce The 1964 Civil Rights Act forced the motel to allow black customers. Congress may use powers under the Commerce Clause to enforce the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations. Griswold v Connecticut, 1965 Warren 9 th amendment Connecticut law prohibited married couples from using condoms & birth control pills Laws criminalizing the use of contraceptives violated the right to marital privacy. Privacy is established as a key right under the 9 th amendment. Miranda v. Arizona, 1966 Warren Rights of the accused; 5 th amendment Ernesto Miranda was an accused rapist; confessed to cops when he was taken to jail SC ruled that officers must inform suspects of their rights.

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Loving v. Virginia, 1967 Warren Interracial marriage, 14 th amendment Richard Loving (white) and Mildred Loving (black/Native American) were sentenced to 1 year in prison for marrying each other SC declared Virginia's “antimiscegenation” statute, unconstitutional, ending race-based legal restrictions on marriage Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969 Warren 1 st amendment; student rights High school students wore black armbands with peace symbols on them to protest the Vietnam War during school The First Amendment does not permit public schools to punish a student for expressing beliefs, as long as student behavior does not create interference with school discipline or the rights of others. Swann v. Charlotte. Mecklenburg Board of Education, 1970 Burger 14 th Parents complained about long bus amendment; rides to other parts of the city in integration order to achieve integration of schools Compulsory busing of students to promote integration is permissible. New York Times v. US, 1971 Burger 1 st Daniel Ellsberg leaked the “Pentagon amendment; Papers” to the NYT and Washington press Post; US government sued to prevent publication SC rejected government’s argument b/c the Pentagon Papers were mostly “historical” and government cannot exercise a “prior restraint” on the press; support for the Vietnam War continued to decline

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Roe v. Wade, 1973 Burger Abortion, women’s rights, privacy Roe was unmarried young woman who couldn’t get abortion in Texas SC ruled that women have right to abortion as right to privacy; but established restrictions as pregnancy comes to term US v. Nixon, 1974 Burger Executive privilege Watergate scandal… Nixon had SC ruled that Nixon had to turn tapes evidence on audiotapes; investigators over; Nixon resigned to avoid wanted him to turn over the impeachment evidence; Nixon claimed executive privilege Regents v. Bakke, 1978 Burger Affirmative action; 14 th amendment Bakke was rejected by UC Medical School; he claimed violation of 14 th amendment b/c affirmative action discriminates against white men SC ruled that affirmative action is OK, but no quotas… encouraged diversity in education and workplace Texas v. Johnson, 1989 Burger 1 st; symbolic speech Johnson burned flag outside Republican National Convention in Dallas; arrested for “desecration of flag” SC ruled that government cannot restrict ideas simply because they are offensive; protected freedom of “symbolic speech”

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Bush v. Gore, 2000 Rehnquist 2000 election was very close; winner of Florida would determine outcome of electoral college; Gore sued for a hand recount In 5 -4 decision along party lines; Supreme Court ordered stop to recount; Bush won Boy Scouts v. Dale, 2000 Rehnquist 1 st Dale was expelled from the Boy amendment; Scouts because he was openly gay 14 th amendment; association Private organizations may exclude members through their First Amendment right to freedom of association in spite of antidiscrimination laws. Lawrence v. Texas, 2003 Rehnquist 14 th amendment Texas law declared sodomy a criminal offense; police caught two men when responding to complaint at a home Court struck down sodomy laws in thirteen states, making same-sex sexual activity legal. Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 2004 Rehnquist Terrorism & rights of accused Hamdi, a US citizen, was captured in Afghanistan after the 2001 US invasion and held as an “enemy combatant” rather than a prisoner of war or criminal suspect. Hamdi was held in “indefinite detention. ” SC ruled that Hamdi had a limited right to court appearance; Hamdi renounced his citizenship and moved to Saudi Arabia

SUpreme Court Cases Case Name & Year Chief Justice Issue Background Outcome Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, 2006 Roberts International law After 9/11, foreign terrorist suspects were held at Guantanamo Bay prison and faced military tribunals with very restricted rights SC ruled that the tribunals violated the Geneva Convention and military regulations; however, many Guantanamo suspects have yet to be released or tried Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 2010 Roberts 1 st Congress passed law to restrict amendment; corporate, PAC and union Campaign contributions to political campaigns finance SC ruled that the restrictions violate 1 st amendment; “money is speech, ” severe blow to campaign finance reform National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 2012 Roberts Healthcare Congress passed the controversial “Obamacare” law which requires all Americans to sign up for private or government healthcare by 2014 or pay a penalty In a 5 -4 partisan decision (Roberts switched sides), the Supreme Court upheld the legality of “Obamacare” under the gov’ts power to tax U. S. v. Windsor, 2013 Roberts Same-sex marraige In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples and ensures that states that ban gay marriage do not have to recognize such marriages performed in other states. In Windsor, the Supreme Court struck down the section of DOMA denying federal benefits to same-sex couples. In Obergefell, the Court declared same-sex marriage a protected constitutional right, striking down all state bans on same-sex marriage. Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015

SUpreme Court Cases Group Discussion 1) Identify three cases you believe were the most important or “earth-shaking” and explain why. 2) Identify three cases where you believe the court made a mistake or an unjust decision and explain why you believe so. 3) Choose the single most influential chief justice and evaluate his impact. 4) Predict a case you believe may be overturned in the future and explain why it may be overturned. 5) Evaluate the relative power of the Supreme Court, the president and Congress in shaping our laws, economy and society.

See here: Famous Trial & Year Anne Hutchinson Trial, 1637 Salem Witchcraft Trials, 1692 John Peter Zenger Trial, 1735 Boston Massacre Trial, 1770 Amistad Trial, 1839 -1840 Johnson Impeachment, 1868 Susan B. Anthony Trial, 1873 Haymarket Trial, 1886 Issue http: //www. umkc. edu/famoustrials/ Significance

See here: Famous Trial & Year Sacco & Vanzetti Trial, 1921 Scopes “Monkey” Trial, 1925 Scottsboro Boys Trials, 1931 -1937 Nuremberg Trials, 1945 -1949 Rosenberg Trial, 1951 My Lai Courts Martial, 1970 Dan White Trial, 1973 Clinton Impeachment, 1999 Issue http: //www. umkc. edu/famoustrials/ Significance